We know it’s possible to find financial aid for college, even during a pandemic. COVID-19 Virus has ripped off students of many of the experiences that make going to college so gratifying.
For high school juniors and seniors, that includes the kinds of events that provide a feel for what the colleges they are considering are really like. Campus tours, weekend-long visits and face-to-face conversations with counselors have all largely been thrown out in favor of safer virtual offerings. While this may be a necessary precaution, it makes it more difficult for students to determine whether they will be able to find their place and community at college.
Research shows that a sense of belonging is directly attached to student well-being, academic success and retention. However, even before the pandemic, first-generation students and students of color reported feeling less of a sense of belonging at four-year institutions than students who enjoy greater representation on campus. With the pandemic disrupting many traditional paths for exploring college options and finding this sense of belonging, these students are now more susceptible to delaying college or changing plans entirely.
You should not wait for the perfect school to come to you. As you begin your college search, you should determine what your interests and needs are, both academically and emotionally, and start doing research to find schools that correlate with them. Go beyond colleges’ brochures and explore their websites, student newspapers and social media. You can easily get a sense of a school’s size, academic programs and other important information through some online research.
You should also be proactive in seeking out help, whether that’s from your high school counselor, a trusted teacher, or some other kind of academic mentor.
Also it’s essential to make a list. Began with a basic listing of institutions you are interested in. Seek out an adviser to help you ensure that your list is balanced, with a mix of schools that matched your interests while having varying acceptance rates. Many students should aim high while including some great schools that were just a little easier to get into. The list should evolve into a series of spreadsheets that will keep track of campus activities, coronavirus-related closures and costs. A spreadsheet is key and will help make sense of the confusing financial aid process and could easily compare tuition, cost of attendance and financial aid offers.
Another good piece of advice to students is to reach out to second or third-year students at the college(s) you are interested in. In regards to campus visits, they will give you a real sense of whether the school would be a good fit for you during and after the pandemic.
Talking to students will help you focus in on the school that would ultimately be a good choice. If you would like help with financial aid please contact our office for a complimentary consultation on how we can lower your out of pocket cost.
